1. Arkansas’s Carnegie Libraries
2015 ALPS Conference
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Travis Ratermann and Ralph Wilcox
Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
31. Libraries in Arkansas
• Small Private groups
• 1st
Library law passed by the state
• Women’s organizations take the reins.
• Small public institutions
• Large public institutions
32. Contact with Carnegie Officials
Receipts
From Taxes_______
Other income_______
Total_______________
Expenditures
Rent_______
Other costs_______
Free Public Library
1. Name of Town___________________________________
2. Population______________________________________
3. Has it a Library at present?__________________________
4. Number of books (excluding government reports)?________
5. Circulation for the last year?_________________________
6. How is Library housed?____________________________
7. Number of rooms, their measurements and uses?_________
8. Finances according to the last annual report:
9. a) Rate at which municipality will pledge annual support (with a tax levy) if building is
obtained___________________
b) What is the highest rate of tax levy allowed by law?_________________________
c) How much income would this rate have yielded for the last five years?
_________________________
10. Is the requisite site available?_______________
11. Amount, if any, already collected toward building______________
"To facilitate Mr. Carnegie’s consideration of your appeal, will you oblige by filling in the above,
and return with a statement of any particulars likely to assist in making decision? It is necessary
to give explicit answers to each question, as in the absence of such, there is no basis for action, and
the matter will be delayed pending further communication."
33. Pledge to Maintain
A Resolution to Accept the Donation of Andrew Carnegie
•Whereas, Andrew Carnegie has agreed to furnish_______________ Dollars to
the _______________ (name of community) to erect a Free Public Library
Building, on condition that the said community shall pledge itself by a Resolution
of Council, to support a Free Public Library, at a cost of not less than
_______________ Dollars a year, and provide a suitable site for the said building.
•Now therefore be it resolved by Council of _________ (name of community) that
said community accept said donation, and it does hereby pledge itself to the
requirements of Andrew Carnegie. Resolved that it will furnish a suitable site for
said building when erected, at a cost of not less than ____________ Dollars.
Resolved that an annual levy shall hereafter be made upon the taxable property of
said community sufficient in amount to comply with the above requirements.
34. Conditions on Grants
1.Municipalities had to own the site on which the library would
be built, which often meant spending taxpayer money.
2.The property also had to be large enough that the library
could be expanded if demand rose.
3. Agree to pay each year an amount equal to 10 percent of his
gift to maintain the building.
4.Show need for Library.
38. Fort Smith- 318 N. 13th
St.
• Various period of History on the Site.
– Original Site of the Judge Parker’s last home.
• Hanging Judge
– Carnegie Library
• Arkansas’s First Public Library
• Leading Sponsor was the Ladies of the Fortnightly
Library Association
39. Fortnightly Association
• The library grew from one of the oldest literary
clubs in Arkansas, the Fortnightly Study Club of
Fort Smith, originating in 1888 with Mrs. Isaac C.
Parker as the first president.
• Fortnightly Club already was hosting a Free
reading room.
49. Little Rock- Horse Before the Cart.
• Ask for the grant then make plans
• Nov. 19, 1908 seek to get the city on board
– Business men and community to raise $40,000
• 8,000 a year for 5 years to start the fund.
– City to buy the property and pay 10,000 annually for
Maintenance.
• Design of the building was done by New York Architect
Edward Tilton.
• Tilton wanted a local architect on site so he hired famed
local architect Charles Thompson to design the building.
51. Cont.
• After years of planning, drawing, drawing,
and redrawing work was underway and
nearly finished by 1910.
• With all of the waiting for this wonderful
building, it was met with no fanfare.
53. All good things come to an
End
• By 1960 the City of Little Rock was
planning for the demolition of the Carnegie
Library.
• Architect William Allen, of Swaim and
Allen, was hired for the new Building.
57. Eureka Springs Library
• Grant Awarded in April 23, 1906
• Bids were not taken until 1908
• Work not started until 1909.
• Location – Spring Reservation
• Architect – Mr. George Hellmuth, St. Louis,
MO
60. Library in Morrilton
• Granted late in the Carnegie Library
process.
• Quickest to completion
• It was not Morrilton’s 1st
Library
– Old School Presbyterian Church
– Founded by the Pathfinder Club of Morrilton
– Still membership only.
61. W.S. Cazort
• - Purchased 1,800 rare books
• Gave books to Pathfinder Club
• Still only had one Librarian
– $25 a month
Passage of the 1901 library law act, which permitted cities to maintain libraries if they were established with private funds.
With the legislation passed many womens groups started collecting books or donations to help support the collection of books.
Funding was generally based on $2-3 per person.
Communities faked the population to increase their grant size but Burtram was not fooled, he used the latest census data for corrective measures.
Some people, however, did not even want to ask for a grant. They objected to receiving money from Carnegie, who after 1892 had developed a reputation as a ruthless businessman. In July 1892 the union workers at Carnegie’s Homestead steel plant near Pittsburgh went on strike. Carnegie was at his home in Scotland, leaving Henry Clay Frick, second in command at Carnegie Steel, in charge. Frick decided to stop negotiating, and he locked the workers out of the plant. Frick, who was more aggressive than Carnegie in asserting management’s authority, soon hired 300 Pinkerton detectives from Pinkerton National Detective Agency to protect the plant and the nonunion work force he intended to hire. Homestead forever stained Carnegie’s reputation.
For the most part, however, communities still chose to complete their applications. Though Carnegie readily granted money, he also placed several conditions on his gifts.
Yet, the stumbling block for many communities was the pledge to Maintain. Carnegie required that the grant recipients agree to pay each year an amount equal to 10 percent of his gift to maintain the building his donation provided. He believed that "the community which is not willing to maintain a Library had better not possess it," but opponents argued that their taxes were already too high and that Carnegie’s rules would raise them even more.
The designs towns wanted for their libraries also caused problems. Until 1908, communities that satisfied the site and maintenance pledges were free to build whatever they saw fit. However, Carnegie and Bertram thought that many of the plans were not practical, because they had expensive exteriors and inefficient interiors. For instance, Bertram discouraged fireplaces, believing that they wasted space and benefited only those closest to the heat. Other standards for design consisted of: Plan for expansion, be completely supervised by the least number of people, reading rooms with no ornamentation so that sighters don’t bother readers, no shelf should be designed to be out of reach for the average patron, and all staircases should be straight not circular.
In 1908 Bertram began exerting more control over designs. For three years he required grant recipients to submit plans before building began, and then he wrote a book entitled Notes on Library Bildings [sic]. Sent to every community that won a grant, Notes reflected the thinking of leading architects of libraries. It contained minimum standards and six model floor plans that provided the greatest amount of usable space consistent with good taste. It suggested a basement 9 to 10 feet high and 4 feet below natural grade and a second level 12 to 15 feet high. The most commonly adopted of the plans called for a main floor with an adult reading area on one side, a children’s area on the other, and the librarian’s desk between the two (see Drawing 1, Plan B). The front door was located in the middle, opposite the librarian. The exterior was left to the discretion of the community, but they were warned to keep the structure plain and dignified. Bertram wanted usable, practical libraries, not elaborate "Greek Temples."
Communities which failed to meet Bertram’s increasingly demanding standards found their designs rejected. Using some of the simplified spellings Carnegie advocated, Bertram sent the following letter to one town in Washington state: "...the plans...in no way interpret the ideas expressed in Notes on Library Bilding. A school-boy could do that better than the plans show. If the architect’s object had been how to waste space instead of how to economize it, he could not have succeeded better....If the architect cannot make a better attempt at interpreting the Notes on Library Building, I shall be pleased to put you in communication with architects who have shown their ability to do so."²
Bertram’s standards combined with the tastes of the times to create many libraries that looked similar. The high ceilings and the second-level public areas suggested by Bertram resulted in spacious interior rooms with splendid natural lighting and ventilation. Due to these qualities, the need for a flight of stairs from the street arose. The stairs, in fact, are commonly regarded as the identifying characteristic of a Carnegie library. Some feel that Carnegie felt anybody who wanted to read ought to be willing to climb a few steps. It is true he thought that ambitious young people would be the primary users of these libraries, and that they would presumably not be troubled by a few stairs. Some say the stairs carry a symbolic message, as in "thirteen steps to wisdom." The stairs, however, created problems for older people and those who have difficulty walking.
Although Bertram insisted on the implementation of his ideas about basic design, he did not try to influence style, except to hope that it would be dignified. Perhaps this explains to some extent the frequent use of classical architectural elements in these buildings, but it is not true that stylistic similarities are the result of dictates by Bertram and Carnegie.
One matter of design, however, may be indirectly related to Carnegie’s involvement. Although some big-city libraries made extensive use of sandstone, a large majority of the existing Carnegie libraries are brick. This may be explained by the fact that they were intended to be permanent public buildings. However, it may not have escaped the notice of city officials that brick, while more expensive in terms of construction costs, is less expensive than other materials to maintain. The city only had to take care of the building, while Carnegie agreed to pay for materials. None of the libraries are wood, even in communities where the lumber industry was the mainstay of the economy.
Fortnightly Club had bigger ambitions because they were already looking to get into a building to house more book of the public. By the time the grant was awarded for $25,000. the club had already had or promised $13,000 for such an occasion. With the Grant from Mr. Carnegie the Ladies of the FortNightly Club put all their money into the building fund for the Carnegie Library.
The exterior of the building was made of cut Carthage MO. Limestone and hauled to Fort Smith. The second story is clad in Neodesha Tuff Colored Brick with elaborate stone trim.
Contract was let on Nov. 12 1906 for the erection of the library.
Little was changed during construction in keeping with the original design plans in 1906.
The exterior of the building was made of cut Carthage MO. Limestone and hauled to Fort Smith. The second story is clad in Neodesha Tuff Colored Brick with elaborate stone trim. Above the main entrance is a large balcony with huge stone columns supporting the tympanum. The balcony is reached through the regents office or adult reading rooms.
The interior consisted of two broad double staircases that lead to the 2nd story rotunda. “The double stairways are handsomely finished with elaborate newels, rails and balustrades. The interior walls on the 2nd story were constructed of brick, with fluted columns supporting the dome. The floor is reinforced concrete. And large transom windows with diamond grill work. The classical details found throughout the interior were used to carry the detail from the exterior to the interior.
In 1964 the property was acquired by the KFSA TV station. In 1967 the library was actively seeking donations and grants for a new library . In 1967, the library board received a $525,000 grant from the Economic Development Administration. The Grant was for a regional computerized information center and library. Sad part is the computer system had nothing to do with library, just a home for it. This center will have a input-output terminals with the capability of transmitting data from the library to the United States and back to the regional centers. It would be leased to the industrialist in the area that want to use the system. Idea was to attract technically oriented business to the area. Remained the library until c.1970
Original cries for a Carnegie Library came from the Little Rock public Schools in 1900. They asked The Carnegie Foundation for ideas in setting up such a library and were passed off by the foundation and told to talk to the City Government.
Upon denial of any help by the foundation and no help in levying funds from the city because they were not authorized under state law to do so. Therefore, in 1901 the state passed its first library law.
Multiple request were made in the following years many were either sob stories or request/bribes to get a library in Little Rock.
Initial grant was for 50,000 but the city really wanted a 100,000. After denial by Carnegie the plan were made for a library at 88,100. Grant was revised and funded.
Initial plans called for a 30,000 library but local officials were worried about the growth of the city causing the need for a larger library in a couple of years.
The Ark Gaz and the Ark Dem each wrote that there was no opening ceremony or play. Just unlock the door and smile.
Final cost was not $100,000 as originally asked for but $88,000. It was quoted as being one of the finest Institutions in the Southwest. It was built on the same plans as other s built by Andrew Carnegie. The front entrance faces Louisiana Street and leads through a short foyer right to the librarians desk. To the left is the reading room, and to the right is the children books. Correct size furniture. Proud of this. Building opened with 2,159 books.
FYI the building was denoted of only allowing white patron and that Blacks were excluded. It is noted that an all black library was been procured at 7th and Gaines.
In the first day alone over 500 application for library cards were excepted: Must be a property owner or have the signature of a property owner. Causing a lot of people to be turned away the first day.
It is noted in the day following the opening that the institution will supply the library needs of Little Rock for many years.
Located along Spring Street, the library when construction started, had the community in a state of happiness. “We have waited long and often times impatiently for a public library in Eureka Springs, and now that work on a nice building is to begin, the news will be received with joy and thanksgiving.
Architect George Hellmuth also designed the Kerns Memorial Chapel above the library. The land was donated by R.C. Kearns, a principal in the Eureka Springs Improvement Company, which donated the land for both the Chapel and the Library.
Yet the construction of this building in the area was one of many found under construction at this time. Street car extension was completed, two blocks away up Spring Street the largest private undertaking was ongoing at the Pence House and the adjoining cottages, where the owner had extended thousands of dollars to renovate these three homes.
The building is to have a 60 foot frontage on Spring Street, the center being opposite the old pavilion and is to be 40 feet deep. The basement would be extended 3 feet in the center, and be arranged so that separate entrances may be made there or into the library proper. The building was constructed of native limestone. At the time construction started there were not plans to finish the basement. With just hope that they would be able to finish out the area for board meeting at a later time. By 1911, construction was still on going.
The architect when designing this library noted that “Eureka Springs is a spot favored especially by nature, and it is no wonder that man does likewise.
In 1897, a ladies club was formed in Morrilton known as the Pathfinders Club. From its conception, the club’s primary goal was to establish a library for the community. The first library began when members collected books and appointed a librarian from their membership. The collection of books was houses at various members homes over a period of time but the books were only limited to the membership.
In 1914, the community was committed to help the club obtain and maintain a library . Funds were solicited and they community purchased the Old School Presbyterian Church and had it remodeled. Building was open to anyone who had a club members sponsorship while also charging a fee. All was fine until the club was met by William Sidney Cazort.
During this time, a Morrilton resident, W.S. Cazort had purchased a collection of rare books from a reclusive Chicago Engraver and book lover William H. Porter. Soon after the library opened Cazort asked the library to take care of the Porter collection.
At this time the Pathfinder club petitioned the Carnegie Library Foundation for a grant to build a new Library.
In order to show the community support behind the grant process, they pathfinder club sold the church building to the Christian Church denominations and use the money and the Porter Collection of Books as leverage for the grant and buy the new site at the corner of Church and Division St. The site was bought for $1,000.
Contract was let to Ira B. Davis of Little Rock. The Library was built using matt face dark red brick with cut stone trimmings of Carthage or Batesville stone with a red spansih tile roof. The building is roughly 56’ wide by 32’ deep, while also having a basement. The main entrance on the north elevation is reached by 7 long wide marble steps 16’ 5” wide. The vestibule had marble threshold and tile floor with a fountain on the left. Two main reading rooms each 21’ deep x 22’ 6” wide. The southwest back corner contained a reference room, and the southeast corner had a room full of stacks. The basement plans included a lecture room with a restroom. A mechanical room would be located in the southwest corner. The only access to the basement from the outside was along the east elevation. A interior staircase was/is located at the back slightly to the west of center. B
By October 1916, the books were moved into the building. The cost to construct was only $7,500 for a 3,628 square foot building $2.07 per square foot. Remdeled in 1971 amd remodeled and added on to 1999-2000.
Feb. 17, 1916 Russellville citizens organized a library association and were trying to secure the the required amount of money to guarantee Carnegie Aid. Carnegie foundation discontinues grants in 1917.
In Fayetteville Suggestions were made to acquire a grant from Carnegie in 1927. The Fayetteville Public Library was in financial trouble at the time and the idea of having a Caregie Library was brought up 10 years to late and the city could not meet the 10% maintenance guarantee. Idea was dead.
